Whether it’s Tokaji or Italian, wine, beer or prosecco, olives or cheesecake, premium or good value for money, you only need add one essential thing to these quality products: atmosphere! These fantastic delicatessens can provide the rest at Christmas.
1/8
A másik bolt
“Going to A másik bolt is an experience that brings a smile on any grey, rain-soaked Monday,” we once wrote, and our opinion hasn’t budged an inch. Fabian Willmann’s shop is packed with special delicacies, quality wines, small-batch jams, cheeses and cold cuts, small-batch beers, craft spirits, along with completely random gourmet artefacts such as fermented garlic. In addition, lunch, dinner, a warm welcome and a variety of events await, away from the noise of the city. It’s another stroke of luck that it’s in Wekerletelep, an architectural highlight an easy tram ride away.
2/8
Delissimo.deli
“Here in this cosy cabin, you get excellent value-for-money Italian ingredients, great coffee, sandwiches and nice smiles, a place where everyone who loves Italian flavours should visit,” is what we said about Delissimo.deli, opened at the end of the summer in District II. Giulia Ligabue and her helpful father welcomed us with their delicacies and fantastic ristretto, along with wide smiles. Delissimo.deli is the realm of fresh sandwiches, dry pasta, hams, cheeses, sauces, along with sparkling Berlucchi Franciacorta, and Sicilian cakes. A tiny store with a big heart.
3/8
Fanka
Perhaps the cuckoo in the nest among this selection,
but Zala Fanni’s phenomenal little shop is a heartfelt favourite. The little fairy-tale
Fanka is tucked away in atmospheric Holló utca in District VII. High up on the sweet-o-meter,
it’s also a breakfast and brunch spot. Pride of place goes to the wonderful
cakes, including the best cottage-cheese pastry in town, but look out, too, for
three types of homemade jam (apricot, strawberry, cherry-and-raspberry), artisanal
cordials (lavender, elderberry) and an excellent, concise selection of wines,
then standard cakes and bagels. Festive bejgli cake and babka milkloaf are available for order here until
stocks last.
4/8
Füge bolt és kávézó
Located next to Citadella, Füge is like Gellert Hill’s pantry. It operates primarily as a quality delicatessen, full of special ingredients, juices, oils, teas, small-batch honey, truffles, olives, dried fruit and similar delicacies, but you can also count on Füge if you’re looking for a gastronomic gift. Personalised packages are available on request. And, if you’re up this way, don’t miss the Sacher cake.
5/8
Határkő Delikát
Breakfast with a view might best describe this down-to-earth,
friendly delicatessen, underscored by premium Hungarian products. The name of Áron
Németh may be familiar to those who like to eat well in Budapest. One
of the main organisers of the Soul Bread Festival, who previously worked for at
wine company Bortársaság
for six years, recently opened a delicatessen in the little village of Üröm,
just beyond Budapest’s border stone (‘Határkő’). Here, you can choose from
around 200 high-quality products and admire the surrounding hilltops over
breakfast. Beginning with Cloud 9 ice cream,
Fajszi paprika, Falu cream spreads, sausages from Püski Manufaktúra, almost anything is available
from small beers to Pasqua Prosecco. Határkő Delikát is a real source of joy to
those living here north-west of Budapest.
6/8
Piccola Italia
The story of ‘Little Italy’ began with the launch of a webstore in June 2020, followed in February this year by a small Italian shop and pick-up point in District XIII, on the quieter side of Röppentyű utca. Piccola Italia is a family business where everyone does their share of the tasks and where the stated goal from the beginning was to get their products direct from Italy to the kitchen of every Italian gastronomy enthusiast. Here you can get everything you need where good Italian food is concerned, be it durum pasta, risotto rice, olive oils, various olives, tomato sauces, pestos, as well as grains and ground coffees, wines and prosecco, all essential for a real Italian feeling for life. If you can’t find that certain something, just let them know and they’ll take you on a regular Italian shopping tour right away. They also sell Italian cheeses, hams, salamis, fresh pasta and other dairy products, along with providing expert advice, whether it’s the history of a bottle of prosecco or wine, or a little help with what to have for dinner at home in the evening. (x)
7/8
Rumour Deli Shop
This gourmet shop is located in the heart of the city centre, right next to chef Jenő Rácz’s restaurant of the same name. In addition to the special, top-quality products of many nations, special emphasis is placed on presenting what’s available from Hungarian small-batch producers and manufacturers. Of course, it’s not just lovers of fine dining and molecular gastronomy who can take pleasure with what’s on the shelves here: it’s equally worth popping in for jam, granola, cheese or ham. In addition, sweets and biscuits are included in the selection, with quality alcoholic and soft drinks also available. Many often have trouble choosing the right gift, so you’ll always find a ready-made gift basket at the Rumour Deli Shop, but they are also happy to satisfy individual needs, as good gastronomic gifts should never be overlooked. And if you get hungry while shopping, you can pick up a sandwich and tea or coffee on your visit. (x)
8/8
Tokaji My Love
This premium Tokaji delicatessen at Chain Bridge is the fruit of a collaboration between Gábor Kardos and fellow producers in Mád, in the heart of the major wine region of Tokaj-Hegyalja. It was definitely one of the most eye-catching openings of the year in Hungarian wine gastronomy, given that Tokaji My Love is the outlet for a long-established association of winemakers there, focusing on preserving and promoting the values of one of the most outstanding varieties in the world. The walls are done out with Mád stone, Tokaj wine bottles hang from the ceiling, and the aim of promoting Tokaj-Hegyalja is illustrated with wines, jams, cordials, chocolates, wine vinegars, honeys, cheeses, preparations from domestic mangalica pork, and coffee roasted in Tokaj, beer, books and various other publications, presenting accommodation and activity options. All in all, a few square metres of Hegyalja in the middle of the Hungarian capital.
